Ishandra : Icy's Tale

Summary: Icy's tale told in the words of the beautiful witch herself. What was childhood like in Italy during the late seventeen hundreds? Who was her first faerie friend? What event changed her heart to ice?

The Woman in the Window

High in the highest tower of a crystal palace located between Alfea College and Cloud Tower, a beautiful woman with long raven tresses and olive hued skin sits on the broad ledge of a large open window and watches the sun set through dark brown eyes. As the last rays of the sun vanish and the stars begin to shine, she reaches into the night sky and makes a scroll of parchment out of a piece of it. Then, with the long nail of her index finger, she dips into pure silver starlight and begins to write in the fine, graceful but angular script of enchantment.

A year has already come and gone since the events that changed my life forever and set me on the path I'm on today. I sit to record them before time steals or jumbles my memory of them.

It started simply enough. It was the time after the Alfea Wars which failed to obtain for us the Dragon Fire and after our betrayal by Lord Darkar when he took Bloom, who had been transmuted into an evil Faerie by his dark powers, as his main Witch, an oxymoron if ever I heard one, and abandoned us to our fate. But my sisters, Darcy and Stormy, and I converged to create an entity, which we named the D.I.S.-tress, and as one united in revenge we delayed Lord Darkar enough that the Hero Sky could break his hold on Bloom which lead to the destruction of his plans to seize the Ultimate Power and imprisoned him in the Dark Abyss.

Darcy, Stormy and I are prisoners at Cloud Tower from which we are unable to escape. Not that we haven't tried but all of our attempts just land us back in the foyer or in our crib at Cloud Tower. Even Miss Griffin, the current headmistress of Cloud Tower, tried to escort us off the Cloud Tower campus only to see Darcy, Stormy and I vanish before her eyes and turn up back at the Cloud Tower foyer. Why? I don't know. There are speculations. Some say that it is Cloud Tower itself that is keeping us here – its wrath kindled against us for having sent our powers through its veins in an attempt to control its heart and for the theft of its part of The Codex. Some say other things but the fact remains that we are unable to escape. I survive here only because here is my home where I still have my crib, my possessions and my crib mates, Darcy and Stormy, to keep me company.

Even though I am a prisoner, I am far from bored because I am allowed all the time I want in the library and the book chambers to do research. Knowledge, I have long since learned, is power. It was such knowledge that empowered me to decrypt the enchanted manuscripts of the First Witches, my ancestors, and to learn of my heritage and destiny to be the Witch Guardian of the Dragon Fire. It is still my goal to realise that dream but the past disasters have taught me that a headlong rush is not the way but cold, careful and meticulous planning is. So I bide my time, pour through books, scrolls, manuscripts and other information storage devices amass knowledge and draw up my plans.

It is through strange fate that Miss Griffin has aided me in my quest. Realising that she was stuck with our presence at Cloud Tower, she put the three of us to work as professor's assistants figuring that keeping us apart and busy would keep us from stirring up any mischief. To that end, Stormy was paired with Professor Ediltrude of the Department of Astrology and Celestial Phenomena where she seems to be doing well despite her tempestuous nature and her constant confrontations with her mentor. Darcy was first assigned to assisting Professor Mabra do research in the library. However, after a short time, Professor Mabra complained to MissGriffin that Darcy was more a hindrance than a help to her so Miss Griffin re-assigns Darcy to a position at Accounting where she is involved in the complex number-crunching, accounting and records keeping involved in the daily operation of Cloud Tower. Miss Griffin dropped a plum into my lap by assigning me as an assistant professor to Professor Zarathustra of the Department of Ancient Languages and Arcane Magic. The position of assistant professor allowed me limitless access without question to the library and the book vaults and all of the other facilities that are used to gather and disseminate information. I apply myself with vigour to all the assignments that the Professor gives me and time and time again I am able to root out useful information from the most arcane of texts. And don't think that Professor Zarathustra accepts any of my research without thorough scrutiny of every jot and tittle I commit to paper. But my research is rock-solid and withstands even the most severe cross-examinations and acid tests she can devise. Over time, Professor Zarathustra becomes more and more involved with her own research and merely assigns me the subject matter for each class and allows me to lecture in her stead. This I am pleased to do because I am still, first and foremost, a Witch and, despite the current hard feelings against me among my sisters, I care about their education and I am driven to see them succeed. So I push them to excel every chance I get with very positive results.

Erin Crowley:
The concept here is really strong, but the execution is definitely lacking. Tenses, grammar, etc are all off, with at least one or more errors per 'Page' on my phone. The writing style is almost broken- sentences move into each other awkwardly, and are filled with an excess of "filler words", lik...

spooky jedi:
Love your story!I really hope more people read this story!Its amazing!! The plot is very unique and different, which is very good to have in a world full of stories. You have very complex and intellectual plot line, with your many loveable character and that hint of 'will they, won't they' is ju...

genlynne2379:
I read the other review of this book and I must say that I disagree with it wholeheartedly. I do not believe the author put the apostrophes in the names just to be unique, but because the characters are supposedly of a different race than humans. They are Anmah. They should have different names a...

maewilde25:
I am so in love with this story!!! captivated me till the very end, there wasn't a dull moment. Didn't particularly enjoy the lay out and some bits of info was missing along with how a 21 year old man amassed so much wealth that needed to be explained other than that and a few spelling errors, th...

CookieMonster911:
The story overall was an adventure that is appealing to any age. The way the characters develop adds a more human characteristic to the novel. The writing style itself is amazing because you can learn every character's thoughts and emotions. The awkward love triangle and jerk moments adds to the ...

Giuliana Cassetta:
My face is full of tears, I never cried like now with a book or even a movie. I loved every single chapter. I truly don't know what to say, I'm out of words and my eyes hurt from crying. Such an bittersweet story, it's so wonderful. One of my favorites for sure. Keep it up!

aoifecollopy22:
I loved how the author had the conflict come back later in the story. Also how they passed time without going over anything. That really helped move the story along. This kept my up for a few hours. YOU SHOULD READ THIS

makaylakay:
I love love this story! It's written incredibly and well thought-out plot! I love how it's a different twist in fantasy fiction, other then the usual vampire or werewolves. Love the romantics and drawn to the two characters so much already! This book will draw you in within the first chapter and ...

Lauren Sanby:
This is an excellent story. Very gripping and keeps your attention throughout. Hoping the author is writing a sequel because I'd love to read more about Rhi and Andreas and find out what else Rhi is able to do with her powers.

Roy Jenner:
I was pleased to join the action where this B-17 was limping back across the English Channel defying all odds. Obviously written by a person more than familiar with the interior of the Flying Fortresses that were familiar in the skies of Southern England during World War 2. Plenty of action here ...

Lydia Walters:
I really enjoyed this novel. It gives us a view of what could be if we really tried.Also that there's nothing wrong with loving our LORD and our fellow humans. couldn't wait to get to each new chapter (mission). Thanks, Joe!

Jade Niday:
This book kept me interested and wanting more. I fell in love with the characters and the plot. This book never has a dull moment. It has action, suspense and even love. Can't wait to find out what happens next

daneliacapote116:
This was one of my favorites! When you start reading you want to continue I can't wait for the rest of the novel!! The characters where awesome! Everything was great. I encourage you to read this novel, your going to love it it and want to read it more and more !!

rudyoxborough46:
An action-packed, mystical adventure awaits anyone wishing to read this novel. I’m amazed at how well you’ve managed to flesh out the characters in this book, and I hope to read more of your work.I’ve read books about goblins and elves and all that mumbo-jumbo before, and most accounts of these c...

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